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Exercise guide

Smith Machine Overhead Shoulder Press

How to do the Smith Machine Overhead Shoulder Press with correct form, the muscles it works, and where it fits a training plan you actually stick to.

CompoundMachineBeginnerPush
Primary muscles

Shoulders

Secondary

Triceps

Equipment

Machine

Step by step

How to do the Smith Machine Overhead Shoulder Press

  1. 1

    To begin, place a flat bench (or preferably one with back support) underneath a smith machine. Position the barbell at a height so that when seated on the flat bench, the arms must be almost fully extended to reach the barbell.

  2. 2

    Once you have the correct height, sit slightly in behind the barbell so that there is an imaginary straight line from the tip of your nose to the barbell. Your feet should be stationary. Grab the barbell with the palms facing forward, unlock it and lift it up so that your arms are fully extended. This is the starting position.

  3. 3

    Slowly begin to lower the barbell until it is level with your chin while inhaling.

  4. 4

    Then lift the barbell back to the starting position using your shoulders while exhaling.

  5. 5

    Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

In Ascend

Log it, see it on your body.

Every Smith Machine Overhead Shoulder Press set you log feeds Ascend's anatomy heatmap — so your shoulders volume is visible at a glance — and counts toward your bodyweight-strength tier.

Related

More shoulders exercises

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